Naseem Shah Fined After Fiery Pollard Exchange In ILT20 Final

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has been fined 10 percent of his match fee during the ILT20 final in Dubai on January 4. Naseem Shah and Kieron Pollard locked eyes in the ILT20 final, words were exchanged, and the air shifted. 

League officials said Naseem Shah breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Match Referee Simon Taufel imposed the fine after reviewing the exchange.

Heat Exchange With Pollard Draws ICC Attention

The exchange began during the 11th over after Pollard safely blocked Shah’s delivery. As the ball came back, Shah held it briefly and smiled. The exchange did not sit well with the MI Emirates batter, and umpires stepped in soon after.

Pollard reacted sharply, and the words that followed shifted the mood in seconds. Umpires stepped in quickly, joined by Vipers batter Jason Roy, who helped cool things before the situation stretched further.

Response With the Ball

Shah did not let the moment linger, as he stayed focused and returned later with purpose. He then dismissed Pollard, who had made 28 off 28 balls. The reaction was restrained, and the message was clear.

That wicket tilted the momentum further in Desert Vipers’ favour. MI Emirates struggled to rebuild as the required rate crept beyond reach.

Vipers Seal Title Despite Heated Moment

The flashpoint did little to slow Desert Vipers on the night, as they stayed in control, defending 183 with calm authority. MI Emirates folded for 136 in 18.3 overs as wickets kept falling and pressure refused to ease. Naseem set the tone with three sharp breakthroughs, hitting the deck hard and keeping the chase out of reach.

For Vipers, Tom Curran was the X-factor with the bat. He scored 74 off 51 balls and rescued the Vipers from trouble. That knock changed the feel of the final. Suddenly, the target looked heavy. By the end, the Vipers were champions for the first time.

By the end, celebrations filled the outfield. Medals followed. Naseem Shah walked away with figures that told one story, and a fine that marked another moment from a final packed with edge, energy, and consequence.